Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Participant

The Kemp Sketch

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BLEDSOE, GEORGE L. -- The record of the Texas Veterans Association printed in D. W. C. Bakers Texas Scrap Book page 587, show that Mr. Bledsoe was born in Georgia in about 1805. He came to Texas in 1834 and on November 13th of that year was issued a Certificate of Character by Vital Flores, Alcalde of Nacogdoches. In the certificate it is stated that he had a wife and one son. These, however, not having arrived in Texas by February 1, 1838 when Mr. Bledsoe was issued a Headright Certificate from the Board of Land Commissioners of Brazoria County for one-third of a league of land prevented him from securing a certificate for a league and labor the amount due married men.

Mr. Bledsoe was issued Bounty Certificate No. 1998 for 640 acres of land for having served in the army from March 4 to September 4, 1836. He was living in Brazoria County, June 2, 1838 when he sold the certificate to John Shakleford for $100. He was First Corporal of Captain William H. Patton’s Columbia Company at San Jacinto but did not apply for the land due him for having participated in the battle.

Mr. Bledsoe was living in Wise County June 27, 1882 when he sold his Veterans' Donation Certificate for 1280 acres of land for $450. He died at Honey Crove, Fannin County in 1887.

The following is a copy of a petition signed by George L. Bledsoe in Grayson County October 19, 1855:

"State of Texas

County of Grayson

To the Honorable body of the State of Texas, Gentlemen, I left my family in the State of Georgia and came to Texas to in the year 1834. I Took part in her Revolution. I was at the battle of Sanjacinta; after the close of the War I could not conveniently make proof of the fact that I had a family, and only asked for Bounty and donation land for a single man. Soon after the Close of the war I removed my family to Texas and have lived here ever since, knowing that I was and know am entitled to one League and labore of land, instead of one-third of a league which I received, I now pray your Horonable Bady to make good the deficit by an act for my relief, and in evidence of the facts above Stated I herewith transmit the affidavit of W. M. Freeman and Drusilla Freeman for such relief as you in your wisdom may grant me and I will ever pray."

Attached to the petition is an affidavit signed William M. Freeman and Drusilla Freeman in Cass County October 24, 1855: "This day personally appeared before J. W. Fleming an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Cass, W. M. Freeman and Drusilla Freeman, to me Well Known and after being duly sworn according to Law, Say that they each of them knew Mr. George D. Bledsoe in the State of Georgia; that he was married in the year 1831; that he came to Texas in the year 1834 leaving his family in the state of Georgia; that in the year 1838 or 1839 his family removed to Texas and they have resided in Texas up to the present time."

The originals of the documents above referred to are in the files of Memorials and Petitions, Archives, Texas State Library, Austin.

Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: First Corporal
  • Company: Capt. David Murphree

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1805?
  • Birthplace: Georgia
  • Came to Texas: 1834
  • Date of Death: 1887
  • Bounty Certificate: 1998